Acceptance

Snuggles

To say Artemis was exhausted was an understatement. She was absolutely shattered. She had been performing her duties without any sort of break. She hadn't even slept for the past week. Yes, she was a goddess and didn't need sleep, but even goddesses could go so long before needing a rest.

Artemis was returning from a solo hunt and to say she was tired would be an understatement. Her eyes were droopy and she was drowsy as fuck. She walked to her tent, stumbling a few times like a drunk idiot, and face-planted on her bed. 

She let out a groan of annoyance, remembering the Gala she was supposed to attend with her date. Who was her date you may ask? Percy Jackson, of course.

Said person entered her tent, oblivious to his surroundings. He obviously thought he was alone, so when he saw a girl with auburn hair sprawled on the bed, he let out a girly shriek in surprise. Artemis let out a very un-Artemis-like giggle at his antics, something that didn't go unnoticed by Percy. He immediately figured out something was wrong with the goddess.

He frowned in concern and asked, "Arty, are you alright?" 

Artemis just sighed in defeat and replied, "No, I am fucking tired. I haven't rested for a week and these duties have left me drained. I just want to sleep and relax for once but I can't because there's this stupid gala we have to go to."

Percy scrunched up his eyebrows and asked, "Do you want to go to the Gala?"

Artemis just shook her head tiredly. Percy smirked mischievously and jumped onto the bed and snuggled closer to Artemis, holding her tightly. "Fine, we won't go." 

Artemis looked at him incredulously. "Are you serious? My presence is mandatory", she protested weakly.

Percy just looked at her with an amused expression, "Nope, we are not going. You are tired and I know you need cuddles."

Artemis could not disagree that she needed cuddles but tried to wriggle out of his grip. Percy just held her tightly and brought her head into the crook of his neck. He placed a tender kiss on her forehead, and all her protest immediately died in her throat.

She finally gave in and snuggled closer to Percy. Percy smiled at the show of affection and pecked her on the lips. 

"I love you, Arty", Percy whispered.

"I love you too, Percy", Artemis mumbled in his shirt and drifted off to a dreamless sleep.

Sometimes, rules were worth breaking to be with Percy.